Plant Unit: Chapter 14

True/False
Indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false.

____ 1. Succession is a series of drastic changes in the vegetation of an area as it develops toward a climax
community.
____ 2. Lichens are part of the climax community after succession.
____ 3. In the early stages of succession, a forest fire would severely damage the community of plants.
____ 4. Biodiversity describes differences in the variety of environments organisms live in.
____ 5. A field of corn, soybean, or wheat has a negative effect on biodiversity.
____ 6. In some areas, biodiversity is threatened by noninvasive exotic species.
____ 7. Synthetic fertilizers can be added to the soil to replace nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
____ 8. Purchasing a fertilizer 21-7-7 should be applied to a lawn in the late summer.
____ 9. Bone meal and vegetable food represent natural fertilizers.
____ 10. The two most important food crops for humans are wheat and rice.
____ 11. If an Ontario farmer wished to grow food crops to support the world's food needs, he would grow wheat and
barley.
____ 12. Plant-breeding technology ensures that the seeds of the best plants are planted, and these will provide high-
quality food during the winter months.
____ 13. Softwoods,when burned, release more energy than hardwoods.
____ 14. Forest regeneration efforts have been successful for a variety of reasons, including fertile soil and good
planting techniques.
____ 15. Ethanol fuel production is viewed by some people as unethical because it uses plants that could be used for
food.
____ 16. Aspirin and rubber come from plants grown in the tropical rain forest.
____ 17. Scientists are continually testing plants in the tropical rain forests to discover new medicines and other
products.
____ 18. Ladybugs are an alternative to pesticides.
____ 19. Top carnivores in a food chain are the least affected by pesticides.
____ 20. Global warming and halophytes may reduce the amount of land fit for cultivation.

Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

____ 21. Succession is defined as

a. a series of gradual changes occurring in plants, followed by animals in an area.
b. the replacement of one type of vegetation with another in an area.
c. all the abiotic and biotic factors characteristic of a region.
 d. distinct steps that result in a climax community of several species living in one area.
e. coexistence of several species living in one area.
____ 22. Forest fires create
a. fertile soil d. a lack of competition among plants
b. open ground e. all of the above
c. more available light
____ 23. Which of the following concerning succession is true?
a. Succession is a rapid change in the vegetation of an area.
b. Succession is influenced by biotic factors.
c. The steps of succession are distinct.
d. The climax community is the final stage of succession.
e. Succession only occurs in terrestrial ecosystems.
____ 24. Which of the following concerning primary succession is correct?
a. Primary succession follows a partial or complete destruction of an existing community.
b. Primary succession depends on lichens, which help build the soil.
c. Primary succession occurs where life previously existed, a burned forest, for example.
d. An example of primary succession is the changes in a farmers' field when it is no longer
being cultivated.
e. none of the above
____ 25. Which of the following concerning secondary succession is correct?
a. Secondary succession follows a partial or complete destruction of an existing community.
b. Secondary succession depends on lichens, which help build the soil.
c. It occurs where life previously existed, a burned forest, for example.
d. all of the above
e. a and c only
____ 26. Where is primary succession likely to begin?
a. in an abandoned field d. in a freshly dug garden
b. where a forest has been clear cut e. in a forest after a forest fire
c. on a sandy beach
____ 27. Secondary succession can best be described as
a. plants regrowing in a cleared-out forest.
b. lichens helping to break down rock and form soil.
c. plants growing on a sandy beach.
d. mosses growing on a bare rock.
e. b, c, and d only
____ 28. Why do lichens not need vascular tissue?
a. They have extensive roots that cover the rocks and extend into the soil.
b. They absorb water from the air.
c. They grow very low to the ground, so there is no need to transport water up the plant.
d. They can store a large amount of water in their cells.
e. none of the above
____ 29. An example of secondary succession is
a. the regrowth of an area after a forest fire.
b. cultivating a new field and planting a new crop.
c. invasion of plants on a newly formed volcanic rock.
d. growth of plants on a sandy beach.
e. growth of lichens on a bare rock.
____ 30. Interspecific competition refers to competition between
a. people of different areas. d. different species.
 b. members of the same species. e. plants and animals.
c. herbivores and carnivores.
____ 31. Intraspecific competition refers to competition between
a. people of different areas. d. different species.
b. members of the same species. e. plants and animals.
c. herbivores and carnivores.
____ 32. Which of the following is incorrect concerning biodiversity?
a. Biodiversity describes differences in the variety of environments in which organisms live.
b. Animal diversity depends on the variety of plants.
c. Biodiversity is highest in the tropical rain forest.
d. Biodiversity is low in the desert.
e. Biodiversity is high where there is a lot of plants in an area.
____ 33. All of the following are examples of lowering biodiversity except:
a. asexual reproduction
b. introduction of an exotic noninvasive plant species
c. spraying a field with a herbicide
d. an equal-aged pine forest
e. introduction of an exotic invasive plant species
____ 34. Fertilizers are necessary if the soil lacks one of the following nutrients:
a. calcium, carbon, potassium d. nitrogen, calcium, magnesium
b. nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium e. phosphorus, potassium, magnesium
c. nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium
____ 35. Which of the following concerning plant nutrients is incorrect?
a. Phosphorus is needed early in plant development for root formation
b. Nitrogen promotes leafy growth.
c. Potassium is needed for strong stems.
d. Nitrogen is needed in large amounts in early to midseason.
e. Potassium and phosphorus are needed in large quantities in early to midseason.
____ 36. Natural fertilizers can be distinguished from synthetic fertilizers because:
a. Natural fertilizers are more concentrated than synthetic fertilizers.
b. Natural fertilizers can be easily leached from the soil compared with synthetic fertilizers.
c. Natural fertilizers release their nutrients slowly compared with synthetic fertilizers.
d. Too much natural fertilizer can kill plants
e. Natural fertilizers all have the same mineral content compared with synthetic fertilizers,
where the content changes depending on the type.
____ 37. All of the following are examples of natural fertilizers except:
a. manure d. sewage sludge
b. kitchen scraps e. crop rotation
c. bone meal
____ 38. Crop rotation involves
a. alternating between legume and nonlegume plants.
b. adding manure to a different crop each year.
c. no addition of a soil fertilizer.
d. a and b only
e. a and c only
____ 39. The problem with synthetic fertilizers is
a. the manufacturing process to produce the fertilizers produces a large amount of waste.
b. they can cause an imbalance in soil composition.
c. they release their nutrients slowly, so a large amount is needed for the plants.
 d. they stay in the soil for a long time.
e. they can cause other nutrients in the soil to be unavailable to plants.
____ 40. The advantage to growing plants hydroponically is
a. a greenhouse is not required.
b. no soil is required.
c. the concentration of nutrients the plants receive can be accurately controlled.
d. only natural fertilizers need to be used.
e. a, b, and c only
____ 41. Farmers regularly rotate legume and nonlegume crops
a. to remove excess nitrogen from the soil.
b. so a plant with a low nitrogen demand can be planted in the field.
c. to prevent insects from destroying the crops since they change regularly.
d. to grow a variety of crops.
e. to improve the soil fertility without the addition of a fertilizer.
____ 42. A farmer wishes to plant three crops to support and help feed the world. Which of the following are the three
most important food crops he should grow?
a. wheat, rice, soybeans d. corn, wheat, soybeans
b. wheat, rice, corn e. corn, rice, soybeans
c. rice, potatoes, corn
____ 43. What food crops would a farmer mainly use to feed his animals?
a. corn and barley d. wheat and soybeans
b. corn and soybeans e. corn and wheat
c. barley and soybeans
____ 44. Which of the following concerning domestication of plants is incorrect?
a. Plant breeding has resulted in a variety of cabbage-related vegetables such as kale and
cauliflower.
b. It increased the amount of food produced.
c. It involves collecting, planting, and cultivating seeds from the best plants.
d. It began with wheat, peas, and olive plants.
e. none of the above
____ 45. If a student were to breed the flowers of the sea cabbage plant, what new food plants would be produced over
time?
a. brussel sprouts and ornamental cabbage d. all of the above
b. cabbage and cauliflower e. a and c only
c. broccoli and kohlrabi
____ 46. If a student were to artificially select the stem of the sea cabbage plant, what new food plants would be
produced over time?
a. brussel sprouts and ornamental cabbage d. all of the above
b. cabbage and cauliflower e. a and c only
c. broccoli and kohlrabi
____ 47. Which of the following plants is related to the sea cabbage?
a. corn d. broccoli
b. soybeans e. carrots
c. rice
____ 48. The climate in Ontario is not suitable for cultivating the following food crops:
a. potatoes and corn d. tomatoes and potatoes
b. rice and sugar cane e. barley and wheat
c. apples and strawberries
____ 49. Which part of the plant is used in the food plant product chocolate?
 a. root d. seed
b. stem e. flower
c. leaves
____ 50. When selecting seeds to grow in your garden in Northern Ontario, what characteristic(s) of the seeds would
be most important?
a. short growing season
b. fertile soil
c. soil high in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus
d. all of the above
e. a and c only
____ 51. If a farmer wished to grow a profitable plant-specialty product, which should he grow?
a. coffee d. chocolate
b. hops e. cola
c. tea
____ 52. How does the technology of hydroponic or greenhouse growing improve our ability to eat a variety of plant
foods during the winter months?
a. No soil is required and the nutrients the plants receive can be regulated to meet the needs
of the growing plants.
b. The temperature of the plants can be controlled to whatever is required.
c. There is no need for fertilizers.
d. all of the above
e. a and b only
____ 53. The green revolution is best described as
a. an increase in the use of fertilizers and pesticides from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
b. a decrease in the use of fertilizers and pesticides from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
c. the cultivation of hybrid plant crops from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
d. a large increase in food production from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
e. a large decrease in the use of hybrid plant crops from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
____ 54. The Green Revolution resulted in the use of high-yielding hybrid crops. The disadvantage of these crops was
that
a. they were less disease resistant.
b. they required an increased use of fertilizers and pesticides.
c. more fuel was needed for the intensive mechanical farming methods of these crops.
d. less local variety of crops were grown. resulting in a loss of biodiversity in the world's
food crops.
e. all of the above
____ 55. Why is genetic diversity in plant crops important?
a. There would only be a few varieties of plant crops.
b. It causes plants to be susceptible to insect attack and disease.
c. It causes plants to show a small range of responses to environmental stresses.
d. It ensures that important plants are not wiped out by one drastic stress.
e. all of the above
____ 56. How is genetic diversity in plant crops achieved?
a. by cross breeding plants
b. by seed banks
c. by conservation of areas where wild plants grow
d. by use of biotechnology
e. all of the above
____ 57. Plants are the source of many products that include which of the following?
 I Fuel
II Fibres
III Food
IV Fossil fuels
V Wood products

a. I, II, and III d. I, II, III, IV, and V

b. I, II, III, and IV e. I, II, III, and V
c. II, III, IV, and V
____ 58. Which of the following statements concerning fuels is incorrect?
I Wood consists mostly of cellulose of living xylem tissue.
II Dead plant material becomes coal, gas, and oil overtime.
III An oak tree contains more energy when burned than a pine tree.

a. I only d. II and III

b. I and II only e. III only
c. I, II, and III
____ 59. The danger of using firewood as a fuel includes which of the following?
I Forests are destroyed.
II The planet's ability to absorb CO2 is increasing.
III Habitats are being lost.
IV Erosion of the soil occurs.

a. I and II only d. I, II, III, and IV

b. I, III, and IV only e. I, II, and III
c. II, III, and IV only
____ 60. Desertification is defined as
a. the loss of peat moss due to soil erosion through the loss of plants.
b. creating a desert through the addition of cacti to the environment.
c. a change in climate producing desertlike conditions.
d. the loss of topsoil through erosion after the removal of plants.
e. the gathering of firewood.
____ 61. Ethanol is a potential fuel source that
a. comes from plants such as corn.
b. is produced through the process of fermentation.
c. could be burned instead of an oil.
d. all of the above
e. a and c only
____ 62. Plant fibres are mainly composed of
a. cellulose. d. fossil fuel.
b. the bark of a tree. e. pith tissue.
c. chlorophyll.
____ 63. The main difference between cotton and flax fibres is
a. cotton fibres are made up of cellulose, and flax are made up of chlorophyll.
b. cotton fibres come from the seeds of the plant, and flax comes from the leaves.
c. cotton fibres come from the seeds of the plant, and flax comes from the stem.
d. cotton is used in fabrics, while flax is used for paper only.
e. c and d only
____ 64. As a furniture maker, which part of the palm plant must be processed to make rattan furniture?
 a. stem d. bark
b. leaves e. inner part of the stem
c. seeds
____ 65. Which of the following is not a wood product?
a. hemp d. veneer
b. plywood e. fibreboard
c. chipboard
____ 66. Why have forest regeneration projects not been successful?
a. Canadians assume our forests have too many trees and losing a few would not harm the
forests.
b. Little forest management has been practised until recently, so many species of trees have
already been depleted.
c. Long-term decreased soil fertility and poor harvesting and planting techniques are
producing fewer trees.
d. all of the above
e. b and c only
____ 67. Which plant is used to make the drug codeine?
a. foxglove d. yam
b. periwinkle e. willow
c. opium poppy
____ 68. The medicinal value of plants is due to chemicals found in
a. leaves. d. seeds.
b. tree bark. e. all of the above.
c. flowers.
____ 69. Many plants store chemicals such as codeine, morphine, and aspirin in their leaves, stems, roots, and seeds.
These chemicals have medicinal value for us, but what is the advantage for the plant in storing these
chemicals?
a. The chemicals prevent the plant parts from freezing when the temperature decreases.
b. The chemicals attract insects to the plants for pollination.
c. The chemicals are waste products and are of little value to the plant.
d. The chemicals help the plants fight off diseases.
e. The chemicals help protect the plants from organisms that may eat them as the chemicals
deter these organisms.
____ 70. Which plant is used to treat heart disorders?
a. opium poppy d. willow
b. foxglove e. belladonna
c. periwinkle
____ 71. Which plant product is used in making hoses, tires, and chewing gum?
a. rubber d. waxes
b. resins e. a and d
c. tannins
____ 72. Which of the following statements is incorrect concerning herbal remedies?
a. Herbal remedies are plant medicines.
b. Echinacea and gingko are examples of herbal medicines.
c. Herbal remedies undergo scientific testing for safety and effectiveness.
d. Herbal remedies are mostly harmless.
e. Herbal remedies are natural products.
____ 73. Which chemical product is contained in cosmetics and perfumes?
a. dyes d. tannins
 b. latex products e. essential oils
c. resins
____ 74. All of the following represent nonmedicinal chemical plant products except:
a. dyes d. atropines
b. resins e. tannins
c. waxes
____ 75. Which of the following does not belong?
a. digitoxin d. nicotine
b. quinine e. codeine
c. aspirin
____ 76. Pesticides stay in the body of an individual because
a. they are stored in the muscles.
b. they are soluble in water and are only released when excreted from the body.
c. they are soluble in fat , accumulate in fatty tissue, and are not excreted.
d. they are soluble in fat and accumulate in the muscles.
e. they multiply in fatty tissue.
____ 77. A water soluble pesticide would have less effect on organisms higher up the food chain because
a. the pesticide does not persist in the environment for a long time.
b. the pesticide acts quickly so it does not build up in the environment.
c. the pesticide only accumulates in the body of the pest.
d. the pesticide does not accumulate in the bodies of organisms in the food chain.
e. the pesticide is only strong for a short period of time.
____ 78. After DDT had been used for a period of time
a. it began to accumulate in the bodies of all of the organisms in the area.
b. it killed all of the pests it was used on.
c. it did not persist in the area, so it had no effects on the organisms.
d. it had a positive effect on some organisms such as the mosquitos that cause malaria.
e. a and d only
____ 79. DDT was first used as a pesticide because
a. it was economical to produce and apply.
b. it increased crop yields.
c. it saved millions of human lives by controlling caterpillar populations that were destroying
food crops.
d. all of the above
e. a and b only
____ 80. What do the letters IPM stand for?
a. independent pest management d. integrated pest management
b. independent pest monitoring e. integrated pest monitoring
c. integrated pest manager
____ 81. Biological magnification is best described as
a. the buildup of persistent chemicals in the body during a lifetime.
b. fat soluble chemicals that are not excreted.
c. the buildup of levels of persistent chemicals as they get passed along the food chain.
d. the increasing concentration of chemicals as they get passed along the food chain.
e. the multiplication of the level of chemicals in the body.
____ 82. Bioaccumulation is best described as
a. the buildup of persistent chemicals in the body during a lifetime.
b. fat soluble chemicals that are not excreted.
c. the buildup of levels of persistent chemicals as they get passed along the food chain.
 d. the increasing concentration of chemicals as they get passed along the food chain.
e. the multiplication of the level of chemicals in the body.
____ 83. Which of the following represents ways to avoid excessive use of pesticides?
1. using chemicals that do not persist in the environment
2. selectively breeding plants that are resistant to pests
3. genetically modifying plants to be resistant to pests
4. growing organic plants
5. applying pesticides once a year

a. 1, 2, 3, and 5 d. 1, 2, 3, and 4
b. 1, 2, 4, and 5 e. 1, 3, 4, and 5
c. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
____ 84. Which of the following may reduce the amount of land fit for growing crops?
I climate change
II desertification
III use of fertilizers
IV salinization
V global warming

a. I, II, III, IV, and V d. I, II, IV, and V

b. I, III, IV, and V e. I, II, III, and IV
c. II, III, IV, and V
____ 85. Maintaining a variety of plants is important
a. for the development of new forests.
b. to protect the soil from erosion.
c. for the development of new food crops.
d. for preventing the process of salinization.
e. for preventing climate changes.
____ 86. Salinization is
a. the process of cultivating the soil to bring salts to the surface.
b. the process of producing a saltless soil.
c. the process in which salts in the ground water come to the surface of the soil.
d. the process of irrigating the soil with ground water to water the crops.
e. the process by which the soil erodes because of the removal of minerals such as salt.
____ 87. Why are new varieties of nitrogen-fixing plants so eagerly sought?
a. They produce large quantities of seeds rich in proteins.
b. They are less expensive to grow since they require less nitrogen fertilizers.
c. The plants can be stored without refrigeration for up to a year.
d. They can be grown in saltwater ponds, and they produce more proteins than soybeans.
e. They produce a high quality natural rubber.
____ 88. Why has there been a renewed interest in cultivating amaranthus plants?
a. They produce large quantities of seeds rich in proteins.
b. They are less expensive to grow since they require less nitrogen fertilizers.
c. The plants can be stored without refrigeration for up to a year.
d. They can be grown in saltwater ponds, and they produce more proteins than soybeans.
e. They produce a high quality natural rubber.
____ 89. What is limiting the availability of more land for the cultivation of crops?
a. Most of the land suitable for cultivation is already being used.
b. The erosion of the soil due to climate changes is reducing the amount of soil available.
 c. Limited freshwater resources for irrigating the crops is limiting the amount of land
available.
d. a and b only
e. all of the above
____ 90. Halophytes are
a. animals that live in the desert.
b. plants that grow in the tropical rain forests.
c. plants that grow in deserts and salt marshes.
d. fish that live in salt water.
e. animals that can accumulate salt in their cells.

Short Answer

91. Why would park keepers periodically set fires to some areas in local parks?
92. Explain this statement: "When a single species of plant becomes extinct, many other organisms are
threatened."
93. Why is biodiversity low in the desert?
94. Why is the domestication of plants important?
95. What are the dangers in harvesting trees as firewood?
96. Why do some people view using ethanol as a fuel source unethical?

97. The tobacco plant has been genetically modified to produce more nicotine in its leaves. What impact does this
have on society? For the tobacco companies?
98. The discovery of the joba plant helped prevent the extinction of certain species of whales. Explain.